Musicians call for Melton's full summer bandstand concert programme to be restored

The Melton Band are playing there on Sunday, from 2.45pm to 4.30pm, but they are the only brass band scheduled to play at the New Park venue this year.

It comes after Melton Mowbray Town Estate announced in May that it had taken the ‘difficult decision’ to cancel the traditional concert season due to ‘increasing operational costs and declining audience attendance’.

The Town Estate say no decision has yet been reached on whether the full season will restart again next season but band members remain concerned it may be lost forever.

Tony Rifugiato, musical director of The Melton Band, told the Melton Times: “The bandstand has been in Melton’s New Park since 1908, and ever since then there have been regular summer concerts which are always well attended and enjoyed by the people of Melton.

"Over the last 50-plus years, I personally have played there, not just with brass bands, but also with rock bands, soul bands, choirs, wind bands and even a saxophone orchestra.

"It’s a focal point for summer Sunday afternoons, and to lose such an asset to the town is a travesty.

"You can’t measure the impact of the band concerts just in terms of money; there’s the mindful joy of sitting in the sun with other people listening to live music, the enjoyment both the performers and the audience get from gathering together, the promotion of live music making etc.

"The decision to cut back on these events is incredibly short-sighted, especially as there are local companies keen to get involved in sponsoring them. I urge the Town Estate to reconsider their future plans.”

BBC cricket commentator, Jonathan Agnew, who plays the euphonium in The Melton Band, told the Melton Times: “It’s such a tragedy if we lose this

“I was playing with the band at Loughborough at the weekend and there were about 300 people there.

“All those bands that played in Melton last summer and it’s a shame they’re not playing this year.

“It’s another local tradition which is under threat so I hope people really support the concert on Sunday.”

Veteran musician, Dave Wright, who is 81, has played with Ibstock Brick Brass Band at the Melton Bandstand for the last 25 years.

He told us: “We always had a good turnout at Melton so I’m surprised they’re cutting back on them.

"They’ve started cutting back on the band concerts in Leicester’s parks as well, which is a shame.

“People take their own chairs at Melton, they have their picnic and it’s a great day out.”

Ian Halcrow, musical director of Rutland Concert Band, has been playing with the band at Melton Bandstand since 2008 and he says attendances were always very good.

Ian told us: “We’ve always tried to play a family-oriented programme at Melton – music such as Frozen, the Lion King, How to Train your Dragon for the younger members of the audience; hits by Adele, etc, for young adults and a few light classical pieces for other family members.

"I believe the Melton concerts are a great place for a family picnic and get together and I would love to see them held again.”

Ian says it is important to keep showcasing community bands like his because it encouraged children and young people to play an instrument at a time when opportunities in schools are dwindling.

He added: “I am the MD of Rutland Concert Band and we are a community band: we welcome players of all ages and abilities.

"Community music is very important. It allows people to socialise and participate in a creative activity.

"It is crucially important for youngsters; as music in the state education sector has virtually gone.

"We struggle to attract young instrumental players as very few children have the opportunity to play an instrument.

"We try to support our youngsters by offering a grant towards their instruments.”

The Harborough Band has also highlighted the importance to a community of having a programme of bandstand concerts.

The band’s Sam Hale told the Melton Times: “Harborough Band has really enjoyed playing our annual concert at the Melton Mowbray Bandstand for many years.

"The park is such a lovely setting, and our audience levels have been consistently good, with people from all walks of life and all ages coming along to listen.

"We’ve had fantastic feedback from audience members over the years, with many smiling faces coming up to thank us at the conclusion of the afternoon.

“We do similar park bandstand concerts in Market Harborough twice a year, and they continue to be very well attended and much loved by the large audiences that come along.”

He added: “As the current Midlands Regional Second Section Champions, we’re proud to represent our area and are currently fundraising to enable us to compete at the National Brass Band Finals in York next month.

"Community concerts like these are not only a wonderful way to share live music with local people, but they also help us connect with supporters as we prepare for such prestigious events.

“We were therefore very disappointed to find that Melton Mowbray had been cut from the 2026 programme.

"It seems such a shame that a long-standing tradition is being brought to an end when it gives so many people such pleasure and provides free, accessible live music for the whole community.”